2004 Renault Fluence Concept - Images, Specifications and Information

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Fluence, Renault's latest concept car, is an upmarket, four-seater sports coupé. It was presented at the 2004 Louis Vuitton Classic concours d'élégance held for the first time at Waddesdon Manor near Aylesbury instead of its traditional home of the Hurlingham Club in London.

Fluence is a 4.60-metre long coupé, comparable in size to a Laguna in the current Renault range. Its design continues the latest theme from Renault's Design department, started with the Wind concept roadster in March. With its sloping, streamlined front and absence of a radiator grille, attention is focused on the diamond logo. The front contrasts with the vertical profile of the rear and its wide wings highlighted by elongated, horizontal lamps. The V-shaped rear window accords perfectly with the slanting windscreen. Two strips of glass stretch the length of the roof panel before dropping down towards the tailgate. The base of the body shell, with its aluminium finish, encircles the car and the 22 inch wide wheels guarantee perfect road holding.

Light pours through Fluence's large glazed area to bring out the full intensity of the car's prevailing Rouge Margaux red interior. The sides of the leather seat back and cushion fan out when the electric doors are opened, enabling adjustment of the lateral seat supports to suit individual preferences. The control panel is intuitively designed - easily selecting the car's main functions, visible on a fold-away screen in the upper part of the dashboard, in accordance with the Touch Design philosophy.

Once on board, a vast, enveloping rear seat, comfortable for two, and adjustable reading lights that fold out of the roof after pulling on a leather cord, inspired by the world of home furnishing design, create a cosy, comfortable ambience. The large boot provides two side storage units and a 396 litre capacity. It is accessed via the tailgate by means of an innovative opening mechanism: the tailgate slides over the roof using an articulated arm in its centre.

The front-mounted 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine develops 280hp. The finely-tuned suspensions and chassis allow a fast and agile driving style that adapts to all road conditions, and meticulous acoustical studies were applied to engine design. Fluence is as much a pleasure to drive as a top-of-the-range saloon, while its six-speed automatic transmission with flick-shift control adds to driving comfort and serenity.

Strictly a concept, Renault has no plans to put Fluence into production but its design will heavily influence other new Renaults in the next two or three years.